Author Archives: Dan C.

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

Posted by Dan C. on
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As you know, if you are one of the tens of readers who stop by The Battle Cry, I’ve been having a few interesting conversations of late with a few folks who preach and teach a theological system called “Mid-Acts Dispensationalism”. Sometimes that title is appended with “Rightly Divided” or “Rightly Dividing”. Such great emphasis is placed on “rightly dividing” the word of truth, I decided to study 2 Timothy 2:15 for myself. Here is the passage again, emphasizing two words in the verse, “study” and “rightly dividing”.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”. (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV,)

It’s presented in the KJV, or KJB (as MAD folks are fond of calling it) because according to MAD, the 1611 King James Bible is the ONLY translation of the Bible we English speaking folks should be using (And that’s another topic altogether!).

First I consulted both Strong’s and Thayer definitions for both words, in multiple translations, as shown below:

Study (KJV, NKJV)

The Battle Cry

Strong’s G3718

ὀρθοτομέω

orthotomeō

From a compound of G3717 and the base of G5114; to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): – rightly divide.

Thayer G3718

ὀρθοτομέω

orthotomeō

Thayer Definition:

1) to cut straight, to cut straight ways

    1a) to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv. to doing right

2) to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly

Part of Speech: verb

Other Translations: Be diligent (NKJV, NASB, HCSB), Do your Best (ESV, RSV)

Part of Speech: verb

Other Translations: Be diligent (NKJV, NASB, HCSB), Do your Best (ESV, RSV)

As you can see from the Strong’s and Thayer listings, the word “study” includes the attitude with which we should be “hitting the books”; as if we are presenting ourselves to God as laborers worthy of our hiring. Also, as noted above, the word “study” has been translated using other words in other translations that are completely in line with Strong’s and Thayer Greek definitions.

Rightly Divide (KJV, NKJV)

Strong’s G3718

ὀρθοτομέω

orthotomeō

From a compound of G3717 and the base of G5114; to make a straight cut, that is, (figuratively) to dissect (expound) correctly (the divine message): – rightly divide.

Thayer G3718

ὀρθοτομέω

orthotomeō

Thayer Definition:

1) to cut straight, to cut straight ways

1a) to proceed on straight paths, hold a straight course, equiv. to doing right

2) to make straight and smooth, to handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly

Part of Speech: verb

Other Translations: rightly handling (ESV, RSV), accurately handling (NASB), rightly handling (RSV), correctly handling (NIV)

The same goes for “rightly divide”, which literally means “to cut straight” (not like the pizza place), along with “rightly/accurate/correctly handling” God’s word, as well as teach it. All of the terms shown for “rightly dividing” are completely in line with Strong’s and Thayer Greek definitions.

The MAD folks I referred to earlier have verse-by-verse studies available online, complete with detailed outline for their teachings. I won’t provide the entire outline for our Timothy passage, but I will mention a couple of things.

For the word “study” they tell us that in newer translations “study” has been “Replaced with “do your best” “be diligent to present yourself” “make an effort” “work hard” “do all you can” which puts focus on deeds w/o word (any emphasis on words – I listened to the MP3).”

For the term “rightly dividing” they tell us that it’s been used as “A catchword for too many – Baptists, evangelicals, reformed, Catholic, JWs, heretics.); that “Rightly” is better than correctly/skillfully because it turns upright what was subverted in v. 2:14); and that “dividing” speaks to “dissecting parts & purpose”, or HOW to cut, or dividing/cutting up the text of the Bible itself into the proper dispensations.

Just a note here. I learned from another MAD lesson that although Paul didn’t specifically divide/cut the text of Scripture, other men, beginning in the 19th century, who studied the Bible actually “drew the dispensational lines” where Paul meant them to be. They make that claim while also claiming that they use ONLY the KJB as their authority, and that they do NOT follow the teachings of anyone other than Paul.

So What?!!!!

WHY did I just tell you all of that? I wrote this blog post (over the last day and a half) for two reasons:

1. To try and understand why Mid-Acts Dispensationalists believe what they believe and fiercely teach. Writing things down helps me with that.

2. More importantly, to suggest to you that the modus operandi of the MAD folks is strikingly similar to just about every other unorthodox/aberrant teaching or false teacher in the Christian church. They take whatever teaching or doctrine they want you to believe and force it into the text of Scripture. Sadly, there are those who swallow the poison hook, line and sinker!

So how do you NOT take the bait? Read and study the Bible for yourself. When you really know your Bible, when you come across something that seems off, investigate.

Above all, Be Blessed!

The TRUTH About the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!

Posted by Dan C. on

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Just kidding! I haven’t lost my mind; however, I really think you would have had to leave your brains at the door to believe that nonsense. The marriage supper of the Lamb is in heaven, while the supper of the great God would have to be on earth! SHEESH!

Back to the real marriage supper!

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The first ten verses of Revelation, chapter 19 describe a scene of great rejoicing in heaven, as told to the Apostle John by the angel sent from God that accompanied John through the visions in Revelation.

“1After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

. . .

“6 Then I (John) heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb”

(Revelation 19:1; 6-9)

To better understand the Marriage supper of the Lamb, let’s first take a look at wedding customs in Jesus’ day.

These wedding customs had three major parts. First, a marriage contract was signed by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom, and the parents of the bridegroom or the bridegroom himself would pay a dowry to the bride or her parents. This began what was called the betrothal period—what we would today call the engagement. This period was the one Joseph and Mary were in when she was found to be with child (Matthew 1:18; Luke 2:5).

The second step in the process usually occurred much later, when the bridegroom, accompanied by his male friends, went to the house of the bride. If he came in the night, he and his companions would create a torchlight parade through the streets. The bride would know in advance this was going to take place, and so she would be ready with her maidens, and they would all join the parade and end up at the bridegroom’s home. This custom is the basis of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13. The third phase was the marriage supper itself, which might go on for days, as illustrated by the wedding at Cana in John 2:1–2.[i]

As stated above, the marriage suppeb, according to Jewish customs, took place at the home of the bridegroom. After the betrothal, the bride would remain with her family while the bridegroom would go and prepare a place for them to live.

Jesus was referring to the same custom when spoke to his disciples; with his own death on the near horizon, told them:

“1 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Back to the silly notion that the marriage supper of the Lamb is not in Heaven with saints rejoicing, but it’s actually lots of birds devouring the carcasses of God’s enemies on earth. Revelation 19 describes a celebration in heaven and the marriage supper of the Lamb (vv. 1; 6-9), followed by a rider on a white horse, vanquishing God’s remaining enemies on earth (vv. 11-20). If I apply a literal interpretation, there are separate events occurring in a specific order, per the angels sequential revelations to John. It can’t be any simpler than that, and the claim made by the author of the meme that started this post is patently ridiculous. So WHY make the claim in the first place?

Well, it has to do with a theological system that demands that the silly claim MUST be made and MUST be true!

But that’s another story to be told at another time.

Be Blessed!

[i] What is the marriage supper of the Lamb? | GotQuestions.org

On My Back–C.H. Spurgeon

Posted by Dan C. on

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Comfort and encouragement from the Prince of Preachers! ! It’s a quotation from something Spurgeon wrote in 1867, while suffering from ailments that not only had him flat on his back in his home, but also kept him from the pulpit. The complete article from The Sword and the Trowel can be found here.

Be Blessed this day!


When God Abandons a Nation

Posted by Dan C. on

I saw a FB post this morning that had a short video clip of John MacArthur talking about God’s judgment against our nation interspersed with a bunch familiar trans celebrities.

I saw a FB post this morning that had a short video clip of John MacArthur talking about God’s judgment against our nation, interspersed with some familiar trans females (oxymoron?) and celebratory comments.

The post was titled “This is the End/John MacArthur” and the statement “I was shocked to hear. . .”

Well, I’m NOT shocked. John MacArthur has been preaching about God’s judgment against our nation for a couple of decades, at least. He preached a sermon called “When God Abandons A Nation” almost 20 years ago. There’s a link at the end of this post.

I’m also not shocked because long before I heard John MacArthur preach a judgment sermon I had already read Romans, chapter 1. We are told in vrse 18: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth..”

Note the use of the present tense. The wrath of God and judgment against sin is an ever-present reality. What does that look like? Sometimes it can be giving us what we want. That can be the moral perversion that is celebrated in our culture and even from the White House lawn. It can be apostate churches that preach “your best life now”, but never about in and repentance. The list goes on and on. When God removes his restraining hand against sin it’s judgment. But it’s not “the end”, at least not just yet. “No man knows the day or the hour” (Matthew 24:36). It will get much worse. Trust me.

What are we to do? Jesus told us to “Occupy (Do business) till I come.” That business is to proclaim the gospel in all its fulness. You can read a post written almost ten years ago here (Not that it was anything new, it wasn’t)

Here is one of John MacArthur’s sermons about judgment here:

Food for thought on a Saturday morning.

Be Blessed!

Before You Share Your Faith–Book Review

Posted by Dan C. on

image“Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready by pastor Matt Smethurst offers five foundational recommendations to help you talk to others about Jesus with confidence.[i]

In his preface to the book’s contents, the author, (Matt Smethurst) says this:

“This is not a handbook of evangelistic jujitsu tips. I’ll leave that to more able voices. This volume is about getting ready to open your mouth at all. It’s about preparation for the conversation.”

The book then devotes a chapter to each of the author’s five recommendations to help you talk to others about Jesus.

1. Grasp the Gospel

To assist us in grasping the message of the Gospel, we can look at it with a “wide lens” and a “zoom lens”; in four “movements”: the Ruler, the Revolt, the Rescue, and the Response. (I love alliteration!) A bit of alliterative assistance combined with an easily understood description of each “movement” makes it hard NOT to remember the elements of the gospel message!

2. Check Your Context

Checking our context involves knowing our audience, being able to break down the gospel message to make it clear, and understanding what’s at stake, and excelling at asking questions.

3. Love the Lost

Loving the lost involves being a friend and is often referred to as “friendship” or “relational ” evangelism. In the words of the author, “The Bible never says that speaking the truth IS love, but it says we are to speak the truth IN love. Ponder that distinction – it I subtle but critical.

4. Face Your Fear

Fear, apprehension, and nervousness, at some level always seem to haunt us. On the other hand, evangelism is not complicated: if we wait until our fears have completely evaporated, we might never share it. Don’t wait for the perfect scenario because it might never come. Instead resolve to seize the opportunities God presents to you.

5. Start to Speak

“Preach the gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.” Catchy phrase, isn’t it? Sad to say, it’s not biblical. Communicating the good news about Jesus Christ always requires words. Above all, pray. Pray before the first conversation, pray during the conversation, pray after the conversation. Pray singly and corporately. Pray that God will open hearts to receive the message (like Lydia in Acts 16). Be faithful to the gospel message. Remember that God saves sinners, we don’t.

A final thought from Matt Smethurst:

“Some if my richest gospel conversations over the years have not been planned. . . by me. But God had other plans.”

Before You Share Your Faith contains much more than this brief review could provide. It can be ordered from Truth for Life Store  at the link below, as well as from other book sellers.

________________

[i] Books and Booklets – Store – Truth For Life

Columbo Apologetics #3

Posted by Dan C. on

I have another friend, I’ll call him Bob, who I have known for some years now. Bob is, by his own admission, a Dispensationalist, but just the ordinary garden variety taught first by John Darby in the 19th century. As such, he agrees with me that salvation has always been by grace through faith, since Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness. We’ve been chatting about certain passages in Romans via email.

During one of his emails to me today, Bob had this to say:

After quoting Gal 2:21 , “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (All well and good).

Then he said:

Then you have to also look at Romans 5:13 and Romans 7:7-9.

Romans 5:13 is before the law.  Abraham fell under this.

Romans 7:7-9 for Jews

I replied concerning Rom 5:13,

“Adam fell before the law was given and God confronted him and let him know he had sinned. One might say that God’s commandment “do not eat……” was ‘law’ but not the Law of Moses. Adam then passed on his fallenness to the rest of the human race that followed. Then Israel was given the Law of Moses and from that point that Law has served to awaken sin in human beings.”

Concerning Rom 7:7-9,

Paul was speaking to the church in Rome, in which there were, at one time or another, both Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity.  The early Roman church(s) were dominated and led by Jewish disciples of Jesus of course,  but when all Jews were expelled from the city of Rome, however, only the Gentile Christians remained. Therefore, the church grew and expanded as a largely Gentile community from 49 to 54 A.D. Jews were expelled from Rome several times. In 139 BC the Jews were expelled after being accused of missionary efforts. Then in AD 19 Tiberius once again expelled Jews from the city for similar reasons. The Emperor Claudius was in office 41-54 A.D. and would have expelled Jews from Rome during that period.  Historians and theologians tell us that Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome circa 57/58 A.D. What does that tell you about who Romans 7:7-9 was ‘for’? (Enter Columbo)

Bob replied with:

Adam and Eve got the knowledge of good and evil from a tree.  Not from Moses.

No one else for knowledge of good and evil from a tree but Adam and Eve.

To which I replied:

You are not listening, Ed. I said:

One might say that God’s commandment “do not eat……” was ‘law’ but not the Law of Moses. Here’s a question for you: Was eating from the Tree of Good and Evil a sin? Simple “yes” or “no” answer. Did Adam know it was a sin? Simple “yes” or “no”. IF (hypothetical and nothing personal), based on your assertion that before he Law of Moses there was no sin, I think we are done. IF you say no, I emphatically conclude that you are in bondage to the form of dispensation you espouse.

I hope he let’s that sink and remains silent.

The prevailing thought among certain dispensationalists is that dispensationalism is explicitly taught in Paul’s letters. They have to make that claim because they say they only follow what is clearly written and are “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15) If you dare suggest that dispensationalism is not explicitly taught in Scripture but was formulated in the 19th century by men (Darby, Bullinger and a few others), they refuse to  entertain the thought because ANYTHING outside of the KJV Bible is invalid and most, if not all of today’s Christianity is “twistianity”.

Maybe they don’t understand what “explicit” means. Maybe they have “steel trap minds” (rusted shut). Maybe 2 Cor 2:14 applies, in which case I grieve for their souls. Your guess is as good as mine.

Be Blessed!

Columbo Apologetics #2

Posted by Dan C. on

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There are two main theological systems concerning God’s dealings with men throughout history based on dispensations of time & covenants. Both systems can be thought of as “frameworks” for interpreting Scripture. Theological systems are developed by men based on what they believe (or want to believe) is taught in Scripture.

The BIG question:

Which of the above theological systems can most clearly found in Scripture? One of them? Both of them? Neither one? Let’s take a look.

From the Grace Ambassadors Web site:

“If we believe the Bible to be God’s Word then we must make it the sole authority of truth above all else. ‘Mid-Acts Pauline Dispensational Right Division’ is simply another way of saying that the Bible is our final authority.”

NOTE: The Grace Ambassadors, as well as a few other organizations/groups teach as THE true biblical doctrine, a form of Dispensationalism. This author is NOT taking sides, but merely asking questions.

Other Questions:

1. Does the Bible explicitly teach dispensational ’ism’? No, but it can be implied if you want to develop a theological system around specific time periods in the history of the church. That is exactly what John Nelson Darby did in the 19th century.

2. Does the Bible explicitly teach covenants? Yes, and with very minor variations, theologians are generally in agreement concerning the various covenants that are found in the Bible. The terms Old and New “Testament” actually mean Old and New “Covenant”. Generally speaking, the OT represents a covenant of works, while the NT represents a covenant of grace. The Old Testament also contains specific covenants (contracts) established by God with specific people (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, King David).

3. Do the Grace Ambassadors really hold the Bible as their final authority? Obviously not.

4. So what? Do I need to label myself as a Dispensationalist or Covenant theologian? No. I need to be faithful in proclaiming the message of the gospel (1 Cor 15:1-4) to the lost and dying world around me.

Be Blessed!

Columbo Apologetics #1

Posted by Dan C. on

This is about a Facebook conversation I’m having.

ORIGINAL POST:

FAITH ALONE………...

“But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” What a switch! Jews saved like Gentiles, not Gentiles like Jews? Amazing! Acts 15:11……

Paul’s gospel became the only gospel without water baptism or any works…

He reminded the Galatians how he had received his gospel: directly from the Lord Himself (Galatians 1.11-12), not from the Twelve or anyone else (Galatians 1.15-17)……………..Acts 9… (Acts 15.11). From that point onward, Jews had to be saved like Paul’s Gentiles…..only Paul’s gospel was valid (cf. Galatians 1.6-9).”

RESPONSE:

“You said “from that point forward” Jews had to be saved like Paul’s Gentiles. What about Romans 4, in which we are told that Abraham’s faith was imputed to him as righteousness. Doesn’t that strongly and clearly state that salvation has always been by grace through faith? Just an honest question.”“You said “from that point forward” Jews had to be saved like Paul’s Gentiles. What about Romans 4, in which we are told that Abraham’s faith was imputed to him as righteousness. Doesn’t that strongly and clearly state that salvation has always been by grace through faith? Just an honest question.”

Additional Comments:

The original FB post proposes that at one time there was a one gospel for the Jews (Law), and a different one for Gentiles (grace through faith). That time period is represented in Scripture by the entire Old Testament, as well as every book in the New Testament outside of Acts 9:28 as well as Romans through Philemon (Paul’s Epistles). Acts 9:28 through Philemon was intended specifically for Gentiles and the remainder of the Bible speaks only to the Nation of Israel. You can imagine the implications of that.

The group of people, which seems to be growing these days, is composed of those who claim that the KJV is their ONLY authority for the doctrine(s) they teach. They teach a form of dispensationalism called ultra, or hyper-dispensationalism (HD). Notable classic dispensationalists label it as everything from “nonsense” to “heresy.”

I’ve been trying (to no avail) to come up with ways to have a rational conversation with them. My last recourse is to merely (and politely) ask questions based on the text of scripture that would clearly refute their doctrine(s). Thus, this blog post. At the end of the day, I might just end up with a list of questions for HD’s that could be used as a method of apologetics I like to Apologetics à la Columbo (the popular rumpled T.V. detective of years gone by). I’ve been asked not to visit the Gospel of Grace public FB group. I have not yet been banned, but that might be coming.

I’ll return to this post to add new FB responses or comments, if there are any.

Be Blessed!

Christless Conservatism

Posted by Dan C. on

Kirk Cameron talks about ‘Christless Conservatism’ in a short clip from Apologia Studios.

In the clip, Kirk says that “Christless conservatism” cannot solve the problems we have in America and its institutions. He is correct.

He also says “we need a spiritual earthquake that throws open the prison doors of sin and we need to rush out as Christians armed with the only weapon powerful enough to subdue the earth and its institutions – the Word of God.” Also, true. The Word of God is able to subdue the earth and its institutions, and someday it will – in the new heaven and new earth spoken of the Book of Isaiah 65:17 & 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, and the Book of Revelation 21:1.

Kirk tells us: “We need to take the truth that we know and redeem a dying culture through a Revival.” Now that sounds like a great idea – “redeem a dying culture!” At the same time, I have a simple question: Did Christ die to “redeem our dying culture?”

Here are just two passages to consider:

”And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

And they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,”  (Revelation 5:9)

Please know that I’m not bashing Kirk Cameron. I just want to take the idea of redeeming our dying culture one step further. I would suggest to you that as Christians, we are not called to ‘redeem a dying culture’, but to share the gospel message that WILL redeem lost and dead sinners who CAN in turn make an absolutely profound effect on our culture.

“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.  (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

Be Blessed!

Without God in the World

Posted by Dan C. on

Psa 49_20

I borrowed the above title from today’s devotional from Truth For Life. In that devotional, Alistair Begg tells us:

“It is tempting to think that passages like this one only describe other people. But we should not be too quick to look away from ourselves. Are there ways we have rejected humility, believing ourselves to be sufficient without God? Have we let our prosperity numb us to our neediness and accountability before God? Has our treatment of those around us been marked by self-interest and arrogance instead of love and service? We may confess to have faith in God, but perhaps there are areas of our lives that require repentance.”

He then asks us to consider the following:

1. How is God calling me to think differently?

2. How is God reordering my heart’s affections — what I love?

3. What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?

Be Blessed This Day!